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Response to COVID-19 - Bell County Information Updates

Bell County is operating a COVID-19 phone bank to help answer questions within the community.  The phone bank will be staffed from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  The number for the phone bank is 254-933-5203.  Calls received after hours and weekends will be answered by 2-1-1.  

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions 

Visit the Bell County Public Health District website to view an updated list of the number of COVID-19 cases in Bell County.

Emergency Orders related to COVID-19

  • Executive Order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to mitigate spread of COVID-19 (Effective March 20)
    • Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10
    • Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options are allowed and highly encouraged
    • Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance
    • Schools shall temporarily close

The order does not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This executive order does not mandate sheltering in place. All critical infrastructure will remain operational, domestic travel will remain unrestricted, and government entities and businesses will continue providing essential services. For offices and workplaces that remain open, employees should practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COVID-19.

  • Bell County Directive #4 - Local Disaster Declaration for Public Health Emergency, Issued by Bell County Judge David Blackburn (Effective March 27 at 1:00PM)

  • CISA Guidance - Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce During COVID-19

Bell County/Bell County Public Health District Documents and News Releases


County Office Updates


District Courts, County Courts at Law and Justice of the Peace Courts

An Order Extending Prior Administrative Order was signed by Judge Gordon G. Adams on March 23, 2020.  The Bell County District Courts, the Bell County Courts at Law, and the Bell County Justice of the Peace Courts will continue to provide essential functions and hearings ONLY through May 8, 2020.  This Order Extending Prior Administrative Order includes the suspension of all jury trials through May 8, 2020.  Click Here to view the Administrative Order.

Examples of essential functions include criminal magistration proceedings, CPS removal hearings, temporary restraining orders/temporary injunctions, juvenile detention hearings, and family violence protective orders. 


Based upon the ongoing and growing concerns regarding Coronavirus – COVID-19, the Bell County Clerk’s Office is implementing a Continuity of Operations Plan to continue serving our citizens while taking precautionary measures to protect our staff and their families.

The Bell County Clerk’s office will limit public access to our office effective immediately and until at least March 31, 2020. The issue will be readdressed daily based on current happenings in our County.

The Bell County Clerk’s Office will still be operating by answering phones and emails, processing e-files for judicial cases, e-recording for property records, electronic registration of birth and death records, and all mail, fax and email search requests.

While we realize  there will be exceptions, every attempt to limit face to face transactions will be made. Certain transactions will be processed by appointment only. These appointments will be restricted to only the party or parties involved. We ask that you please do not bring in children. If you are sick, recently exposed to anyone who is sick or show signs of being sick, please do not attempt to make a physical appearance in our office. Each request for an appointment will be screened for immediate need and will be decided on a case by case basis.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding to protect the employees and their families.


District Clerk

Due to the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Bell County District Clerk’s Office has implemented a few changes, effective immediately.  It is our hope and plan to remain open to continue to serve the citizens of Bell County; however, the health of the employees and their families is certainly a priority of mine.  It is my goal to eliminate as much public contact and traffic in and out of our office as possible; therefore, I am asking each of you to comply with the following temporary guidelines.
To view the complete Public Notice click here.

Until Further Notice
For the safety of our staff and the Public, effective immediately, the Bell County District Clerk's Office is closed to the public.
However, our office remains fully staffed to accommodate your needs.
For service pick-up, please contact 933-5196 to make arrangements.
We apologize for any inconvenience.



Tax Assessor-Collector

In an effort to reduce the need for in-person transactions, Governor Abbott issued a statement on March 16, 2020, granting a temporary extension to obtain initial registration, renewal of registration, vehicle titling, and renewal of a permanent disabled parking placard. Governor Abbott also granted a temporary extension for an individual with an expired 30-day temporary permit to obtain another permit or Texas registration. This temporary waiver is in effect until 60 days after TxDMV notifies the public that normal vehicle registration, vehicle titling and related services have resumed.

You may still go online to www.txdmv.gov and renew your registration online.

Starting Wednesday, March 18th, 2020, all Vehicle Registration offices will be closed to the General Public until further notice. Click here for full press release.



Fire Marshal

Due to the recent Bell County COVID19 Action Plan upgrade to Level 3 and the recent CDC and TDSHS modified guidelines surrounding the COVID19 pandemic, the Bell County Fire Marshal's Office will be suspending ALL inspections and public education activities until further notice.   Click Here to view the updated operations plan. 

The following activities have not been suspended and will continue:

  • Fire investigations
  • Plan reviews
  • Investigation of complaints


The Bell County Fire Marshal's Office strives to ensure the safety of our citizens, visitors, and employees is met through effective education and enforcement.  Our daily operations may be modified at any time depending on further information released by the CDC, TDSHS and Bell County Officials.

We ask for your continued patience and apologize for any incurred in convenience.


Court at Law 1

Beginning March 19, 2020 and continuing until April 10, 2020, the County Court at Law No. 1 has implemented Temporary Changes regarding the Civil Docket, and the Probate, Guardianship and Mental Illness Hearings.   Click Here to view the changes.